Wales: British Isles' forgotten golf destination making noise

Welsh Tour operators tell me roughly 90% of their guests have been on a Scotland or Ireland golf trip before Wales. It’s stiff competition in the British Isles, and this country, on the southwest end of England is making more and more noise.

There is no shortage of golf here: over 200 courses in a country of about 3 million people. 19th century links like Royal Porthcawl, Tenby and Pennard are as old as nearly anywhere, and I’ve heard great things. They’re also much cheaper than heavier-trafficked Scottish and Irish courses.

The Celtic Manor Resort, which will host the 2010 Ryder Cup has been upgrading and expanding since it was awarded the event. They just opened the new Montgomerie Course, which I played yesterday and is great fun. It’s on the short side (par 69, 6,200 yards) but plays much longer than its yardage suggests - tumbling up and down heavy hillside and has few flat lies. Though a parkland, it’s hardly “American” - not with expansive, rustic views and sheep and bull off in the distance.

I’m in Wales all week and will be blogging between stops and Brains beer.

Colin Montgomerie’s recently rebuilt Montgomerie course is one of three at Ryder Cup host Celtic Manor.